I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Park plays Ahn card ahead of June elections
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Ahn Dai-hee
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Lee Hoi-chang
President Park Geun-hye’s pick of Ahn Dai-hee for prime minister weeks before the June 4 local elections is reminiscent of former President Kim Young-sam’s choice of Lee Hoi-chang before the 1996 National Assembly elections.
Ahn and (then) Lee were called upon to play multiple, critical roles ahead of major elections when the popularity of the ruling camp hit rock bottom.
Ahn was nominated on Thursday to replace Chung Hong-won at a time when public opinion toward the ruling Saenuri Party is worsening in the wake of the capsizing of the ferry Sewol.
The former prosecutor has earned the confidence and credibility from the general public for his star-like role in investigations into several corruption cases involving political heavyweights.
In general, Park’s choice of Ahn to take over as prime minister was welcomed as he is widely viewed as the right person to support Park in her proclaimed war against corruption, after the Sewol tragedy disclosed a number of systemic problems in and around government.
The ruling Saenuri Party hailed the selection as it believes the former justice, who once criticized Park during the 2012 presidential campaign, won’t sit idle when the nation is heading in the wrong direction.
The ruling party is hoping the Ahn card may help turn the tide following poll results that ruling party candidates are behind their opposition counterparts and the gaps are increasing as the elections near.
They expect Ahn will play a similar role in the upcoming elections as did Lee in the 1996 assembly elections.
Back in January 1996, Lee was called upon to serve as chief campaign manager of the then ruling New Korea Party, three months before the elections.
Then, the ruling party was unpopular after President Kim’s policies malfunctioned and several of his aides were involved in corruption scandals.
The former president’s choice turned out to be a successful as Lee, who was known for his integrity, saved the unpopular party by helping it win the elections.
Ahn and Lee have a lot of personal similarities, too. Both of them were called upon by their bosses after they were eliminated from major posts.
Lee stepped down as prime minister in 1994, months after he was appointed by then President Kim. His resignation came after he and his boss clashed several times over key decisions.
Lee showed no signs of compromising and tried to use a zero-tolerance policy in corruption cases, while President Kim felt uncomfortable with his “inflexible” attitude.
Ahn also briefly left the Park camp after the 2012 presidential election. He harbored deep discontent about Park for her effort to balance her card by wooing “corrupt figures” such as Han Kwang-ok from the liberal side.
His public criticism of Park for this made his boss feel uncomfortable during the election. Ahn’s name didn’t appear in any reshuffles after Park won.
Lee and Ahn also have a lot in common in their background. Both studied law and served as justices before getting into politics.